The Chargers quarterback was finished, because he couldn’t finish. And now he isn’t, because he can.

Six days after a game that threatened to define his career, Rivers had a game (and a finish) that just might alter both the reality and perception of his contributions.

“It was a gutty win -- one I can’t remember us having in awhile,” Rivers said. “This kind of game we’ve won our fair share of over the last seven or eight years. They just haven’t happened (recently). It feels awesome to win one of these.”

Rivers in 2009 led four game-winning drives in the fourth quarter, including three decided by points scored in the final minute.

He had not done so since.

Chargers at Eagles, 9/15/13

In fact, not once did the Chargers come through in 11 chances to win or tie a game on their final drive over the past three seasons. Consequently, before Sunday, the Chargers had won just two of their nine games decided by three points or fewer since the start of 2010.

Through two seasons of struggle, Rivers has mostly maintained nothing is wrong except that he keeps making the random mistake, particularly in the most crucial moments.

No need to try to explain anything on Sunday except why he was almost perfect -- in particular in leading the Chargers to three fourth-quarter scores, including the ultimate drive to a field goal with seven seconds remanining.

He had perhaps been better once or twice in his previous 113 starts, but to say so would be debatable.

He had never been more productive in victory.

Rivers’ 419 yards were a career high in a win. The three scoring drives he directed in the fourth quarter broke one tie, gave the Chargers a lead and, ultimately, broke another tie at game’s end.

What Rivers and the offense did in controlling the ball for more than 40 minutes Sunday was as important as anything the defense did in answering whether the Eagles’ quick-bite offense offense could be stymied.

Only one of the Chargers’ 10 offensive drives ended in a punt, and two were prematurely ended by fumbles on the end zone’s doorstep. While the Eagles took a total of just 5½ minutes on their three touchdown drives and their six total scoring drives covered just 12 minutes, Rivers methodically exploited an undersized Philadelphia secondary.

He was masterful at the line, given more freedom than ever before to make adjustments against an Eagles defense that mixes up their looks. He was sacked just once but took a couple hits as he threw. He was patient and crafty. He threw receivers open.

His 47 passes were second-most (by one) than he’s ever attempted in a victory. They were the most he ever threw without an interception. His 36 completions were the most he’s ever had in a game, the 77 percent completion rate his highest when throwing more than 37 passes.

But he’s been good for the majority of many games in the past two-plus seasons.

His fantastic stats Sunday would not have mattered if the Chargers had for the second time in one calendar week lost another second-half lead for good.

In last Monday's season opener, Rivers had a 134.8 passer rating after throwing his fourth touchdown pass to conclude the opening drive of the third quarter.

Sunday, his rating was 142.8 after throwing a touchdown at the end of the Chargers’ first possession of the third quarter.

But where he went 1-for-9 to close out Monday’s game, he completed 17 of his final 23 passes in Philadelphia, including 12 of 16 for 113 yards and a touchdown (114.8 rating) in the fourth quarter.

“It was just staying in the flow of a game,” said the man who over the previous 33 games had a 67.9 fourth-quarter passer rating. “… I’ve strung good drives and good series and good quarters. It was just putting it together a complete game.”

So what might all this matter?

Well, between 2006 and 2009, Rivers was at the helm of 13 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter. He had only twice directed the Chargers to decisive points in the fourth since LaDainain Tomlinson moved on after the ’09 season.

Finishing as they did Sunday was important for every Charger. But as it was mostly because of Rivers, it was most significant for Rivers.